CinemaBravo

Viva artist Rhen Escaño takes on the role of an avenger in the action-packed film “Karma,” directed by Albert Langitan. This serves as her first lead role in an action film.

During their media conference, where CinemaBravo was in attendance, Escaño shared her experiences preparing for the role.

“Unang-una, na-make sure ni Direk na makapag-action training ako, dahil yon yung unang-unang kailangan kong gawin. Kailangang maging malakas ako physically dahil hindi rin ako nagwu-work out. Kita niyo naman siguro, hindi ako physically fit. So, ang haba nung naging process nung preparation.“

(“First of all, the director made sure that I received action training because that was the first thing I needed to do. I had to become physically strong because I don’t work out. As you can see, I’m not physically fit. So, the preparation process was long.”)

Her first gun experience even had a remarkable anecdote.

“Nag-gun firing, so first time ko ring makahawak ng baril. Natakot ako nung time na yon… Ang weird na unang gunshot ko pa lang ta’s tinamaan ko yung… bull’s eye.

(“I tried gun firing, and it was my first time holding a gun. I was scared at that time… It was weird that with my first gunshot, I hit the bull’s eye.”)

RELATED: TV remake of ‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa’ serves as big break for Kiko Estrada, Sarah Lahbati, Rhen Escaño

She also valued the importance of studying on her own apart from immersing herself through their workshops.

“Nag-workshop din kami… Halos araw-araw, sa umaga, magti-training kami, sa gabi magwu-workshop kami… Ilang weeks kami nag-workshop. Laging kasama sa process ko is manood nang manood ng pelikula dahil hindi naman tayo mauubusan ng matutunan doon. Na-make sure ko na aralin mabuti yung character… kumbaga isinabuhay ko talaga siya, as in na-process ko lahat… For me, napakalaking project niya kaya ayokong sayangin.”

(“We also had workshops… Almost every day, we would train in the morning and have workshops in the evening… We did workshops for several weeks. Part of my process is to watch a lot of movies because we can always learn from them. I made sure to study the character well… I really embodied the character, processing everything… For me, this is a huge project, so I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.”)

From ‘Probinsyano’ to a hard-hitting action film of her own

Director Langitan was all praise for Escaño, noting their previous collaboration on the long-running and top-rated primetime action series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” starring Coco Martin. Langitan commented on Escaño’s talent and work ethic.

“Si Rhen kasi, noong nakasama ko sa ‘Ang Probinsyano’, nakita ko na yung kanyang lalim, kung ano yung kaya niyang gawin. Tapos, gustong-gusto ko kay Rhen kung gaano ka-expressive yung mata niya, kasi importante sa akin as a director na dapat nakikita mo kaagad sa mata kung ano yung gusto mong sabihing emosyon. Sabi ko nga, sisikat ‘tong si Rhen sa Japan e. Parang anime yung mata e! Magaling kasi talaga si Rhen.”

(“When I worked with Rhen in ‘Ang Probinsyano’, I saw her depth and what she could do. Then, I really liked how expressive her eyes are because, as a director, it’s important to immediately see the emotion you want to convey in the eyes. I said, Rhen will become famous in Japan. Her eyes look like those in anime! Rhen is really talented.”)

Langitan also emphasized the importance of trust and collaboration.

“Kasi siyempre, tingin ko malaking project ‘to e!—so magagawa ko lang siya nang tama kung nagtitiwala ako sa lead star. Sa ‘Probinsyano’ pa lang, alam ni Rhen yan, lagi kaming nag-uusap, ‘Rhen, ito dapat yung gawin mo, ito pa pwede mo siyang i-push.’ Para kasi siyang sponge: ina-absorb niya lahat ng sinasabi ko.”

(“Of course, I think this is a big project!—and I can only do it right if I trust the lead star. Even in ‘Probinsyano’, Rhen knows this, we always talked, ‘Rhen, this is what you should do, you can push it further.’ She’s like a sponge: she absorbs everything I say.”)

He also said he had confidence in Escaño’s abilities and the film’s potential.

“So, sabi ko, subukan naman natin yung hard action, although action din naman siya sa ‘Probinsyano’ pero hindi gano’n ka-push. So, ayun, parang hindi naman ako nagkamali, tingin ko. You’ll be the judge!”

(“So, I said, let’s try hard action, although she also did action in ‘Probinsyano’, but it wasn’t as intense. So, there, I don’t think I was wrong. You’ll be the judge!”)

The story of ‘Karma’

Escaño plays Angel, an ace assassin who is forever scarred by her father’s murder. Angel was eight years old when her father was brutally killed right in front of her, and she grew up trying to protect those who are being oppressed. It came to a point where she accidentally killed a man who was attempting to rob a father and his child. 

With the help of her godfather, the provincial kingpin called “Chief”, Angel was not sent to prison, but she became part of his covert assassin organization which only targets the society’s dregs. However, in her latest mission, the young daughter of her target witnessed her crime. Angel cannot erase from her mind the image of the girl holding her father’s lifeless body in her arms. Her remorse gets even stronger when she learns that the man she killed was not a drug pusher, but an undercover police officer. 

This discovery leads to more disturbing revelations about her godfather, the true nature of their organization, and the truth behind her father’s death. And now, there’s no stopping her from taking down the real culprit.

Rhen Escaño & Sid Lucero

“Karma” pairs Escaño with Sid Lucero who plays the role of Rommel, an ex-academician turned assassin. Rommel has had quite a temper since he was young. After a deadly encounter with a gang, Chief recruited him into his organization. Rommel and Angel became partners, treating each other like siblings. Though he is an efficient hitman, Rommel has never really liked this job and hopes to retire asap. Chief agrees to his retirement on one condition: that he will get rid of Angel who Chief now sees as a liability to their organization because of all the things she’s found out. 

In addition to “Karma”, Escaño and Lucero star in the TV series “Carlo J. Caparas’ Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa”, currently airing on TV5.

Fans who first saw Escaño as a sexy star will be delighted to witness her evolution as an actress, tackling a demanding role in the action genre.

Roi Vinzon plays Chief, with Krista Miller as Keana, Chief’s concubine, alongside Paolo Paraiso, Leandro Baldemor, and Mon Confiado.

Produced by Viva Films and Happy Infinite, “Karma” hits cinemas nationwide on June 19, 2024.